Campus Map & Tour

Wanda Beard

Appointed in 1976 as a substitute instructor at Central, Wanda R. Beard has retired as professor emeritus of human environmental sciences after 22 years of service.

Beard received a master’s degree in elementary education from Central and a bachelor’s degree in vocational home economics education from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

She was a member of several campus committees and organizations including the faculty Senate Committee on Academic Standards and Central Women’s Consortium. Her leadership activities include serving as president of Central’s Community Teachers Association. Outside the university, she participated in area 4-H, the Youth Camp program and often opened her home to host international students.

Beard also made numerous presentations before professional groups and participated in various programs at the state and national level related to the field of human environmental sciences. Her collaboration with department faculty on a program at the National Vocational Home Economics Education Conference, in which she traced old and new concepts in home economics, is one of many examples of such efforts.

Beard said she took great pride in seeing students become competent teachers and active professionals.

She and her husband Harold (Pete) Beard, also a member of the 1997 emeriti faculty, plan to spend time with family and continue farming and gardening.